March 22

Thomas of Lancaster was born in 1388 as the second son of King Henry IV of England. He was created 1st Duke of Clarence and served as a prominent commander during the Hundred Years' War. Thomas led English forces at the Battle of Agincourt and later campaigns in France. In 1421, he commanded troops at the Battle of Baugé where he was killed in combat. His death was a significant blow to English ambitions and marked a turning point in the war.

Born in Maryland in 1779, Decatur joined the United States Navy as a midshipman at age 17. He gained fame for daring raids during the First Barbary War, including the burning of the captured USS Philadelphia in Tripoli harbor. During the War of 1812, he commanded several successful naval engagements against the British. He achieved the rank of Commodore and became a national celebrity. Decatur died in 1820 after sustaining a fatal wound in a duel, cutting short the career of one of America's early naval heroes.

Odysseas Angelis was born in 1912 and graduated from the Hellenic Military Academy as part of a generation that fought in the Second World War and the Greek Civil War. Rising through the ranks, he became Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff in 1973, overseeing military operations during a critical period of the military junta. After the fall of the dictatorship in 1974, Angelis played an essential role in the restoration of civilian government and was appointed Minister of National Defence. He was known for his efforts to modernize the Greek armed forces and strengthen NATO alliances. Angelis retired from public life in the late 1970s but remained respected for his leadership. He died in 1987, leaving a complex legacy in both military and political arenas.

Born in 1936, Robert F. Overmyer graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as an Air Force pilot and test pilot before joining NASA in 1978. He flew as pilot on STS-5 in 1982, the first operational shuttle mission, deploying communications satellites. In 1985, he commanded STS-51-B, the Spacelab 3 mission, conducting scientific experiments in orbit. Overmyer's expertise extended beyond flight; he developed shuttle approach and landing techniques for astronauts in training. After retiring from active spaceflight, he directed research programs for NASA and the Department of Defense. Overmyer's dedication to aviation and space exploration advanced the capabilities of the shuttle program until his untimely death in an aircraft accident in 1996.

Sabiha Gökçen broke gender barriers by joining the Turkish Air Force in the 1930s and becoming one of the first women in the world to fly combat missions. Adopted daughter of Mustafa Ataturk, she symbolized the modernizing spirit of the young Turkish republic. Throughout her career, she logged thousands of flight hours and trained new generations of pilots. Her achievements inspired countless women to pursue careers in aviation and the military. Her enduring legacy is commemorated in Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, named in her honor.

Born in 1921, he served with the Royal Air Force and achieved 33 confirmed aerial victories. He was honored with the Distinguished Service Order and Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery. After the war, he authored the best-selling memoir Le Grand Cirque (The Big Show) detailing his wartime experiences. He later served in the French National Assembly advocating for veterans' affairs. Clostermann's eloquent writing and combat record cemented his reputation as one of France's most distinguished pilots.

Thor Listau (1938–2014) served in the Norwegian armed forces before entering politics. He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament as a member of the Conservative Party. Listau held the position of Minister of Fisheries from 1981 to 1983 in the national government. He focused on policies related to resource management and rural development. His career combined military service with significant political leadership.